Susan Marcus-Mendoza, Chair and Graduate Liaison
728 Physical Sciences Center
Norman, OK 73019-0315
Phone: (405) 325-1756
FAX: (405) 325-4402
Internet: http://www.ou.edu/cas/hr
E-mail: smmendoza@ou.edu
Professors Mata, R. Randle; Associate Professors J. Anderson, T. Davidson, G. Holmes, Herrerias, Milhouse, Marcus-Mendoza, Spigner-Littles; Assistant Professors Barwick-Snell, Habashi, Hellman, C. Johnson, Lloyd-Jones, W. Long, Waterbury, Worley. Practitioners in internship placement settings serve as adjunct faculty.
The Department of Human Relations was established in 1970 with the mission to train professionals in the field of human relations. The Department has the following objectives:
The Bachelor of Arts in human relations is a 36-hour major which includes a 21-credit hour core of required coursework. The core curriculum offers a balance of foundational theory and essential skills that will provide students with the ability to work in a variety of professional settings. The core is as follows:
H R 3003, Human Relations Theory,
H R 3013, Introduction to Human Relations,
H R 3033, Writing for Human Relations Professionals,
H R 3043, Interpersonal Skills and Group Dynamics,
H R 4013, Social Change Process,
H R 4503, Applied Research, and
H R 4513, Service Learning (capstone).
In addition, students are required to complete 15 hours of HR coursework in three categories of electives: organizational studies, diversity, and current problems. Students must take at least one course from each category, which provides the student coursework in each area, but also allow them to concentrate in an area of interest. In so doing, the student can focus on taking courses most relevant to their career goals. A grade of C or better is required in each of the major requirements.
Undergraduate majors must also complete 15 hours of non-human relations guided electives, one from each of the following categories:
The Master of Human Relations degree (M.H.R.) prepares graduates for careers focusing on research and/or resolution of human relations problems.
Particular attention is given to students who work part-time and full-time. To accommodate both “traditional” and “nontraditional” students, courses are offered on the Norman campus, at the Schusterman Center in Tulsa, and through Advanced Programs in day, evening and week-end formats. Since its inception, the Department has graduated a large number of ethnic minorities, women, older persons returning to college, and international students.
Each student pursuing a Master of Human Relations degree is expected to initiate curriculum planning with a major adviser within the first semester. This planning will identify course sequences which seem most likely to lead to mastery in one or more areas of concentration. Some students may not need to design a unique program but may select from concentration options in which the course sequences have been designed by the faculty.
Human relations counseling; organizational studies; women’s studies; human relations in education; social change; and international human relations.
Tuition waivers are available to selected Oklahoma residents. For information on non-departmental assistance, consult the Office of Financial Aid Services.
Efforts will be made to identify and select candidates whose academic preparation, personal qualities, past educational experiences, volunteer activities, and work experiences give promise for success in the program. Before applicants can be admitted to full graduate standing in the Department of Human Relations, candidates must satisfy the general admission requirements of the Graduate College. In addition, applicants to the Department of Human Relations must complete departmental application requirements. Applicants should contact the department about required procedures.
The curriculum may be a nonthesis, 36 semester credit hour program, or a 32 semester credit hour program, including four hours of research for master’s thesis. The internship is an integral aspect of skill development for all human relations majors. A concentration in a particular area of human relations may incorporate the thesis or nonthesis option.
Candidates selecting this option must include in their program the following Human Relations courses: 5003, 5013, 5023, 5093 and six hours of 5200. A comprehensive examination is required prior to completion of the degree. This examination will be based on major concepts, issues and strategies underlying the field of human relations, plus areas of concentration.
As with the nonthesis option, the following Human Relations courses are required: 5003, 5013, 5023, 5093 and six hours of 5200. A thesis is required.
September 2007